Intermittent Lane Closures Start Sunday on U.S. 74/U.S. 76 Under Mount Misery Road Bridge in Brunswick County

LELAND, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation will close one lane in each direction under the Mount Misery Road Bridge over U.S. 74/76 in Leland from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly from Sunday, Sept. 20 through Thursday, Sept. 24 in order for crews to repair steel sections of the bridge.

The structure, which NCDOT says is safe to travel on, was found to have cracks in the welds which join steel beams to the underside of the bridge. They were discovered during a routine inspection that is part of a Federal Highway Administration-mandated biennial inspection of all bridges. This repair will seal the cracks and prevent further deterioration.

Although there will not be any detours, only one lane will remain open in each direction, so motorists are advised to use caution while traveling in the area and to expect possible delays. NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.

All bridges go through a natural deterioration or aging process, although each bridge is unique in the way it ages. These inspections help the department identify whether a bridge needs maintenance and repair, then schedule them accordingly. If NCDOT inspectors find a safety concern, the bridge will be repaired or closed immediately until the repairs can be made. If necessary, NCDOT will post weight restrictions on a bridge. The department will not keep a bridge open if it is determined to be unsafe. For more information on bridge inspections, including definitions of terms and how inspections work, please visit the North Carolina Bridge Information web page.